Broken up ice moves down the Thames River in Chatham. February 6, 2019. (Photo by Jason Homewood // @Jason_Homewood via Twitter)Broken up ice moves down the Thames River in Chatham. February 6, 2019. (Photo by Jason Homewood // @Jason_Homewood via Twitter)
Chatham

Ice chunks, more water moving through Chatham-Kent

You can expect to see some flooding around the Thames River for at least the next couple of days.

Officials with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority said more water and ice are moving down from the London area, causing continued concerns about flooding in low lying areas -- especially with more rain in the forecast for the next couple of days.

A release from the LTVCA Wednesday evening said water levels on the Thames River peaked Tuesday night and are expected to peak in Chatham Friday as water is routed downstream through local waterways.

Some areas near the region's smaller watercourses where blockages are taking place because of snow, ice, and debris will continue to experience flooding as water spills over the banks, but no major ice jams have been observed at this point.

Local conservation authority officials, who will continue to monitor the waterways, said ice cover on the Thames River has broken up from Delaware down to Chatham and the leading edge of that ice flow is now making its way through the city.

https://twitter.com/Jason_Homewood/status/1093281158689894400

Officials are reminding the public that while the ice moving down the river might look pretty cool, you should keep your distance because it's very dangerous and the riverbanks are still very slippery.

The sidewalk along the river in downtown Chatham is also under water right now and that's expected to continue for at least the next few days.

As of Wednesday morning, officials said ice cover at the mouth of the Thames River in Lighthouse Cove varied from five to 20 centimetres with some open areas.

Broken up ice and high water levels move down the Thames River in Chatham. February 6, 2019. (Photo by Jason Homewood // @Jason_Homewood via Twitter)Broken up ice and high water levels move down the Thames River in Chatham. February 6, 2019. (Photo by Jason Homewood // @Jason_Homewood via Twitter)

Broken up ice moves down the Thames River in Chatham. February 6, 2019. (Photo by Jason Homewood // @Jason_Homewood via Twitter)Broken up ice moves down the Thames River in Chatham. February 6, 2019. (Photo by Jason Homewood // @Jason_Homewood via Twitter)

Broken up ice moves down the Thames River in Chatham. February 6, 2019. (Photo by Jason Homewood // @Jason_Homewood via Twitter)Broken up ice moves down the Thames River in Chatham. February 6, 2019. (Photo by Jason Homewood // @Jason_Homewood via Twitter)

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